Convertible carpet scrubbing or floor polishing machine



Jan. 14, 1958 o. B. SLJII'TON CONVERTIBLE CARPETSCRUBBING on FLOORPOLISHING MACHINE Filed Jan. '5, 1 954 s Sheets-Sheet 1 v 0. B. SUTTONJan. 14, 1958 CONVERTIBLE CARPET SCRUBBING OR FLOOR' POLISHING MACHINE 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 5, 1954 Fig. 4

Jan. 14, 1958 o. B. SUTTON 2,819,478

CONVERTIBLE bARPE SCRUBBING 0R FLOOR POLISI-YIING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5;1954 3 Sheets-Sheet s United States Patent CONVERTIBLE: CARPET SCRUBBINGR FLOOR POLISHING Otis' B."Su ttoi1, North'iCanton, Ohio, assignor toThe Hoover compan Nortli'CantonfOhiU, a corporation of Ohio ApplicationJanuary-5, 1954, Serial No. 402,301

My invention relates to the art of carpet cleaning and is particularlydirected to a simple, economical, replace able, attachable anddetachable device for floor polishers which will enable the same to beused to do an effective job of carpet cleaning utilizing cleaningcompounds such tached to an existing floor polisher without removing anyparts thereof for the purpose of readily, converting.

the polisher into an eflicient carpet scrubbing device.

Carpet scrubbing devices utilizing brushes for the purpose of working.granular cleaning material into the carpetare known; however, suchdevices are diiiicult to operate due to the gripping action of the brushbristles on thecarpet. Rotary brushes throw the cleaning material'outwardly by centrifugal force and the high speed rotation of stiffbristles on the carpet produces objectionable wear thereof. It isaccordingly another object of my invention to provide a device by whichcleaning material can be scrubbed into and against the carpet by motordriven means which will be easy to manipulate; which will not subjectthe carpet to objectionable wear; and which will not objectionably throwout the cleaning material by centrifugal action during the cleaningoperation.

It is a further specific object of my invention to provide a disc whichis readily attachable to a floor polisher and comprises a centralattaching means surrounded by a disc-like section havin'g an upper baseagainst which the bristles of the polishing brush bear to form aresilient support for the polisher While the underface of the disc isprovided with suitable downwardly-extending separated ribs orprotrusions which rub the cleaning compound into the nap or pile of thecarpet so as to insure that all portions thereof are brought intointimate contact with the compound and are acted upon by the cleaningagents therein contained.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a scrubbing disc ofthe character above mentioned which has the undersurface and peripheralflange thereof so tapered and configured as to cause the device to glideacross the surface of even deep pile carpets during use without tendingto dig thereinto and without tending to offer such resistance tomovement of the device over the carpet as will cause it to tip about themanipulating handle-or be difficult to control and manipulate.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as thedescription proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing wherein:

Figure l is an elevational view, partly broken away and partly insection, illustrating a known type of floor polisher with my inventionattached thereto;

Figure 2 is a partial sectional elevational view on an enlarged scale ofa part of the device of Figure 1;

FigureB is a bottom plan view'of a first preferred form of a scrubbingmember;

2 Figure 4is a bottom plan viewof'a modified formof the invention;

Figure 5 is a bottomplan View of another modified.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 illustrating the action of therib on a carpet after. it has been used a short time and illustratingthe manner in which the cleaning compound is worked into the carpet napor pile; and

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the disc of Figure 3 showingthe effect of the tapered undersurface flange thereofin gliding the discacross the surface of' the carpet and preventing the same from diggingthereinto.

Referring now to. the dra'wingin detail and first to Figurelthereof,thereisillustrated a floor polishing machine of aknown typewhich per se forms no part of my invention. Thefloor polishing machineas such illustrated herein is disclosed and. claimed inthe copendingapplication of Erhard Kohl, Serial Number 91,980, filed May 7, 1949, nowPatent No. 2,683,884, dated July 20, 1954, for Floor Polisher. Briefly,this floor polishing machine comprises a main frame 1 upon which issupported a pair of drive shafts 3 connected by suitable gearing, notshown, to an electrical drive motor 2. The shafts 3 project downwardlybelow the lower end of the frame 1 and extend through the centralportion of brush backs 4 which are detachably secured to the shafts indriving relation in any desired manner. of the shafts 3 carry downwardlyprojecting tongue 6 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. The brushbacks 4 carry downwardly extending polishing bristles 5 which may beused for polishing, brushing, scrubbing or any other suitable operationas desired.

The frame structure 1 of the polishing machine is overlaid and coveredby a protective plastic shell 8 which formsa decorative cover therefor,and an electrical insu lating shield around the electrically energizedparts of the apparatus. The frame 1 at opposite sides thereof carriesprojecting trunnion bosses 10 which pivotly support the opposite ends ofhandle bail 11 carrying a manipulating handle 12, only part of which isshown.

The scrubbing disc forming the principal subject matter of my inventionis designated generally by the reference character 15 and comprises acentral upstanding hub portion 16 provided in the upper part thereofwith a transverse slot 17 which receives the flattened tongue 6 on thelower end of the drive shaft 3. The tongue 6 and hub 16 are detachablysecured together by a separable snap fastener generally designated bythe reference character 18. The upper half of the fastener 18 is securedto the tongue 6 by means of a rivet 14 and the lower half of thefastener 18 is secured to the hub 16 by means of a rivet 19. Theforegoing construction provides a means.

by which the disc 15 may readily be attached to and detached from theshaft 3 without in any way interfering with the brush structure on thepolisher. Additionally, the fastener and drive structure for the disc iselevated above the lower ends of the brush bristle 5 so as not tointerfere with their functioning when the disc 15 is not applied to themachine.

The disc 15 is provided with a flat upper face 2% surrounding thecentral hub 16 against which the brush bristles hear. The flattenedtongue 6 fits loosely into the complementary slot 17 to form a loose butpositive dri' ing connection therebetween. The snap fastener 18 holdsthe disc 15 to the tongue 6 firmly against axial forces but cooperateswith the loose drive of the disc 15 to permit some rocking movementbetween thedisc and shaft-which is desirable as providing resiliency topermit the disc to Patented Jan. 14, 1958,

The lower ends travel over any inequalities in a carpet being worked on.The brushes resiliently engage the disc to resiliently resist rockingmovement thereof and also resiliently transmit some of the weight of thepolisher structure to the discs.

The lower surface of the disc 15, designated generally by the referencecharacter 21, is tapered to a slight extent upwardly and outwardly fromthe lower portion of the hub 16 as shown most clearly in Figures 1 and 8and terminates at its outer periphery in an upwardly and outwardlyinclined peripheral surface 23.

Referring now to Figure 3, it will be seen that the bottom surface ofthe disc comprises a central, substantially-circular rib 24 at the lowerportion of the central hub 16 which rib connects to a plurality ofradial ribs 26 joining a substantially-circular peripheral rib 27 whichin turn joins the surface 23. The ribs 26 and circular ribs 24 and 27are separated by shallow depressions 25 formed in the bottom surface 21of the disc as viewed in Figure 3 or as viewed in Figure 1 thedepressions 25 are raised with respect tothe bottom surface 21 of thedisc so that the ribs 24, 26 and 27 form the principal portions of thedisc which actually come into contact with and sink into the pile of thecarpet undergoing cleaning. That is, the disc is provided with alternateprotrusions 26 and depressions 25. As most clearly shown in Figures 6and 7, the ribs 26 are smoothly rounded in cross section and are curvedto merge gradually with the depressions 25 to avoid rough surfaces orabrupt joints which produce carpet wear while insuring desirablescrubbing and agitation of the carpet.

Referring now to Figure 6, it will be observed that granular cleaningmaterial indicated generally by the reference character 30 is lying onthe surface of the nap or pile 31 of a carpet 32 which is to be cleaned.The granular cleaning material indicated generally by the referencecharacter 30 is of the type consisting of a carrier such as wood flourwhich is impregnated with suitable carriers and cleaning compounds whichare either organic or inorganic whichever may be desired. A number ofthese compounds are known and marketed at the present time and a commonexample thereof is that disclosed and claimed in U. S. Letters Patent toEdwards, Number 2,364,608.

As the radial rib 26 advances into the nap in a rotary direction itcauses the nap or pile 31 to bend and scrubs the compound 30 against theindividual elements thereof and at the same time forces the compounddeeply into the pile or nap as the rib opens the same in the mannerillustrated in Figures 6 and 7. This action is very vigorous and scrubsthe compound 30 into intimate and forceful engagement with each elementof the carpet nap to insure the same will be cleaned with maximumfacility. It is to be noted, however, that the disc 15, which ispreferably of plastic material as illustrated but which may be made ofmetal, is smooth surfaced on all portions thereof which are likely tocontact the carpet so as to produce a vigorous agitating and scrubbingaction thereon without abrading the same and producing undesirable wear.

As the action of the disc 15 is continued on the carpet it eventuallyworks the compound 30 deep into the nap or piie thereof in the mannerillustrated in Figure 7 which arrangement insures that the cleaningagents carried in the granular compound will be given the most effectiveopportunity to dissolve permanent soil and the like and to effect thecleaning action in general. It is noted in each of Figures 6 and 7 thatthe direction of rotation of the disc is indicated by the arrow showingthe portions of the carpet which have been worked upon by the rib 26 andany portions thereof which have not yet been subjected to the agitatingand scrubbing action of the rib.

Referring now particularly to Figure 8, the effect of the taper on thebottom of face 21 of disc 15 is made apparent. By this arrangement theouter edge of the disc naturally rides very close to the outer end ofthe carpet nap or pile 31 which tends to give the disc a skidding ac- 4.tion which makes it ride smoothly across the carpet and, in particular,prevents the same from digging in along the leading edge.

In the operation of this form of device it has been found that thepockets or depressions 25 acting in conjunction with the peripheral rib27 substantially prevent the granular cleaning compound from beingprojected from beneath the disc 15 by centrifugal force which actionovercomes a major disadvantage of brushes.

After the cleaning operation is completed the granular cleaningmaterial, together with the soil which it has removed from and absorbedfrom the carpet, may be removed with a suction cleaner or in somesimilar manner.

It is a particular advantage of my invention that the discs 15 may bereadily and simply attached to the polisher and removed therefromwithout in any fashion altering or affecting the relation of themechanical parts thereof and, in particular, without disturbing thebrushes. Hence, to restore polisher to its original function it is onlynecessary to snap the discs 15 away from the ends of the shafts 3 andthe polisher is restored. Similarly, to condition the polisher forcarpet scrubbing it is only necessary to snap the discs 15 onto the endsof the shafts 3.

Referring now to Figure 4 there is illustrated a modified form of myinvention which is particularly desirable for very vigorous cleaning ofextremely deep pile carpet. In this form of the invention the devicecomprises a disc 40 having an upper surface, a central hub structure,driving means and fastening means which are identical in every respectwith the disc 15 previously described. Those portions of the disc 40which are identical with disc 15 are given the same reference characterdistinguished by the addition of a prime. In this form of the inventionthe lower surface of disc 40 is designated generally by the referencecharacter 41 and is substantially flat though tapered upwardly andoutwardly from the center in the manner of the surface 21 on the disc15. It does not, however, have circular, central and peripheral ribscorresponding to the ribs 24 and 27. The disc 40 is provided with aplurality, six in the illustrated form, of downwardly-projecting,rounded-edge ribs 42 which are nonradial; that is, their longitudinalcenter lines are set at an angle to any radius which they intersect. Asillustrated herein, the ribs 42 are so angled with respect to thedirection of rotation of the disc, indicated by the arrow, that theirouter ends lead their inner ends whereby they exert a pumping action onthe granular cleaning material, tending to work the same into the centerof the disc as it is rotated in the direction of the arrow. This form ofthe invention gives a more vigorous cleaning action than thatillustrated and described with respect to the disc 15 because of thegreater length of the ribs 42 and the greater penetration thereof intothe nap. The disc of the type illustrated in Figure 4 is not generallynecessary but is desirable for very highly soiled carpet. The angularityof the ribs 42 has been found effective to prevent centrifugal dischargeof the granular cleaning material even though there is no peripheral ribsuch as the rib 27 present in this form of the invention.

Referring now to Figure 5 there is illustrated a third form of discgenerally designated by the reference character having an upper surfaceand mounting arrangement which is identical in every respect with thatillustrated and described above in connection with the disc 15.

' 5, the lower surface of the disc 50 indicated generally by thereference character 51 is substantially planar. The

lower end of the central hub structure 16" terminates in the surface 51.The surface 51 is provided with a plurality of downwardly-extending,narrow, rounded-edged,

radial ribs 52 which extend from a point spaced from the central portionof the disc outwardly to a peripheral, sub 3 stantially-circular rib 27"which in turn merges with a peripheral upwardly and outwardly directedguide surface 23. It will be understood that the ribs 52 and 27 areslightly tapered as is the lower surface 21 of the disc 15, that is, theinner ends of the ribs 52 project downwardly below the surface 54 aslightly greater distance than to their outer ends and the circular rib27" to facilitate skidding of the disc such as is illustrated in Figure8 for the disc 15. This form of the invention is somewhat simpler tomake than the disc 15 but has slightly inferior support on the carpetdue to the absence of the central rib structure 24. The cleaningeffectiveness of the construction illustrated in Figure 5 issubstantially the same as that of the disc 15 illustrated in Figures 1and 2 and is slightly less expensive, but requires slightly greatereffort to force the same across the carpet due to having a lessersupporting structure actually engaging the carpet nap or pile.

All forms of the invention herein disclosed have been disclosed for usewith a floor polisher which is the preferred arrangement; however, it isto be understood that discs such as those illustrated herein ormodifications thereof may be applied permanently or removably to theshaft of a machine constructed especially for the purpose of scrubbingcarpets. In case the machine is to be used as described and solely as acarpet scrubbing machine the resilient support provided by the brushbristles may be omitted or provided by springs, pads, or similar devicesmounted between an extension on thedrive shaft and the upper surface ofthe disc.

While I have illustrated and described the invention in considerabledetail, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in thearrangement, proportion and construction of parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A machine for scrubbing granular cleaning material into a carpetcomprising a frame structure, a vertical driven shaft on the framestructure, and a carpet engaging disc drivingly connected to the lowerend of the shaft so as to form a support for the machine on the carpet,the lower face of said disc sloping upwardly from its central portiontoward its outer peripheral edge so as to aid in propelling the machineover the carpet, a plurality of downwardly facing carpet engaging ribsformed on the underside of said disc, said ribs being smoothly roundedin cross-section so as to enter into the carpet pile and work granularcleaning material thereinto as said disc is rotated, the under side ofsaid disc between said ribs being disposed above the carpet forconfining a supply of granular cleaning material on the carpet betweensaid ribs.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the ribs are radial and aperipheral downwardly facing rib connecting the outer ends of said firstmentioned ribs for preventing the granular material from being thrownoutwardly by centrifugal action.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the ribs are nonradial andhave their outer ends leading their inner ends with respect to thedirection of rotation of the disc whereby the ribs tend to feed granularcleaning material toward the center of the disc.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the peripheral edge of thedisc is inclined upwardly and outwardly from the lower face of the discto promote sliding translatory motion of the disc on a carpet as thedisc is rotated w th the shaft.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the lower surfaces of the ribsare inclined upwardly and outwardly from the center of the disc topromote translatory motion of the disc on the carpet as the disc isrotated.

6. A surface treating tool comprising a floor olisher including a frame,a drive motor on the frame, a shaft driven by the motor, a floorpolishing brush drivingly connected to the shaft and a manipulatinghandle attached to the frame, a carpet scrubbing disc, means forming adetachable driving connection from the shaft to the disc, the dischaving an upper surface adapted to be engaged by the brush to form aresilient backing for the disc and to elevate the brush above a carpetbeing cleaned and the disc having carpet engaging scrubbing protrusionson the lower face thereof for scrubbing a cleaning agent into andagainst the carpet nap or pile, said protrusions supporting the disc onthe carpet and said disc having an underside disposed above the carpetfor confining a supply of granular cleaning material on the carpetbetween the protrusions.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the lower surfaces of theprotrusions are slightly inclined upwardly and outwardly from the centerto the periphery thereof and the peripheral edge of the disc is inclinedupwardly and outwardly from the lower face thereof at a greaterinclination than the inclination of the lower face of the disc topromote smooth translatory movement of the disc across a carpet as thedisc is rotated.

8. A sunface treating device comprising a frame having a downwardlyprojecting driven shaft therein terminating in a clutch member havingone element of a separable snap fastener on the lower end thereof, acarpet cleaning d1sc having an upstanding central hub terminating in aclutch member complementary to the clutch member on the shaft and havinganother element of a separable snap fastener thereon engaging the snapfastener element on the shaft, and the lower face of the disc havingcarpet agitating protrusions thereon, for supporting the disc on thecarpet, said disc having its underside disposed above the carpet forconfining a supply of granular cleaning material on the carpet betweenthe protrusions and resilient means attached to the shaft adapted toengage the upper face of the disc around the hub.

9. A carpet cleaning device adapted to be attached to a rotatable shafton a floor surface treating machine compris ng a disc member having adriving and attaching device on the upper surface thereof and carpetagitating protrus ons projecting from the lower face thereof, saidprotrusions supporting the disc on the carpet and being in the form ofnon-radial ribs having smoothly rounded contours in cross section inwhich the outer ends of the ribs lead the inner ends thereof withrespect to the directron of rotation of the disc for urging a cleaningagent toward the center of the disc and said disc having its undersidedisposed above the carpet for confining a supply of: a granular cleaningagent on the carpet between said n s.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,498,255 Winchester June 17, 1924 1,778,470 Stratford Oct. 14, 19301,988,193 Edstrom Ian. 15, 1935 2,289,117 Harrison July 7, 1942 FOREIGNPATENTS 276,664 Switzerland Oct. 16, 1951

